Award winning children televised at Lomeshaye Marsh

They have won £1,000 a year for the next three years in the Observer Newspaper Ethical Awards competition for the fantastic work they have put in at this Local Nature Reserve.

The BBC will be filming the prize giving on Tuesday 12 May at 10.30 am.

The awards are sponsored by environmental company Ecover.

Ecover Managing Director Michael Bremans is coming over from Belgium by train to give the award and see at first hand the work the children have been doing.

Pendle Council owns Lomeshaye Marsh, which is an important wildlife area at the edge of the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate between Nelson and Brierfield.

Tourism and Community Initiatives Manager Vaughan Jones says:

"We've been delighted to support children with learning difficulties to get the most from this very special Local Nature Reserve.

 "They have made a huge difference and they really deserve to get this national award.

 "The money they have won will make the Reserve even better, particularly for children with disabilities," he added.

Pendle Community High School and College teacher Malcolm Linford explained:

"The children get a real sense of ownership from their work on Lomeshaye Marsh and we've had great support from Pendle Council and the Environment Agency.

"We use it in all kinds of ways - as a field centre for our science lessons, for Duke of Edinburgh Award students and for work experience.

 "The children have done their bit - from planting wildflowers, to trimming trees, maintaining paths and litter picking - it really is an amazing outdoor classroom."

The school will spend their prize winnings on more improvements including:

• Creating a raised bird watching area using recycled tarmac to help children in wheelchairs see over the wildlife area.  This project will also be supported by local company NEL Construction.
• Building a new shelter using recycled oak.

These new developments will add to the great environment at Lomeshaye Marsh, which includes a study centre with a grassed roof and reed bed water filtration for the sinks so water goes back into the Marsh!

 

Vaughan Jones added:

  "The natural environment is one of Pendle's greatest assets and I urge people of all ages to come down and visit the Reserve.  It's great for families because the paths are all pram friendly."

The award ceremony at the Nature Reserve will be followed by a civic reception hosted by Pendle's Mayor, Councillor Shelagh Derwent, at Nelson Town Hall from 12 noon until 1pm.